26 laws affecting iTaukei interests under review
Government says nine laws have already been repealed, amended or replaced, but warns against rushing remaining reforms
Tuesday 18 August 2026 | 15:30
Acting Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga.
Photo: Ronald Kumar
Twenty-six laws introduced between 2007 and 2022 affecting iTaukei land, resources, trust funds and traditional institutions are under review, with nine already repealed, amended or replaced by the Coalition Government.
Acting Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga told Parliament today that the 26 laws were identified because of their direct impact on iTaukei interests.
Mr Turaga said government had already acted on nine laws since 2023, including changes to the iTaukei Land Trust and iTaukei Affairs laws to restore parliamentary oversight of the iTaukei Land Trust Board, iTaukei Affairs Board and provincial administration.
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The State Land Amendment Act 2023 also revisited changes made during the decree period, while the High Salary Commission Act 2023 restored an institution abolished in 2011.
Local government laws were also amended to bring matters involving native land boundaries back under parliamentary scrutiny.
Other reforms included the Sugar Industry Amendment Act 2025, which revisited laws affecting iTaukei landowners who lease land for sugarcane, and the Fisheries Amendment Act 2025, which strengthened the framework around customary fishing and long-standing community rights.
“Government would not rush to repeal the remaining laws.” Mr Turaga said.
He warned that wholesale repeal could create legal uncertainty and affect existing land arrangements, trust distributions, leases, licences and other rights relied on by landowners, families and communities.
“We will not trade one injustice for another,”
He said Government also wanted to avoid repeating the lack of consultation that surrounded some laws introduced between 2007 and 2022.
Opposition MP Jone Usamate challenged the government during the debate, saying, “Kua ni vaka politiki taka na Turaga,” urging that chiefs should not be brought into politics.
“Consider returning land to landowners where land had been used for development,” Mr Usamate said.
Since 2023, Government has tabled 124 Bills and enacted 108 Acts. But Mr Turaga said the measure of reform should not simply be how quickly laws are passed, but whether people are heard and whether the changes deliver lasting results.
